In 1845 Scotland, Eirica MacDougall's ailing father promises her in marriage to a line of suitors who want her farm and are willing to overlook "the incident" that ruined her reputation at sixteen. Also, her father, who has forgotten his younger child is a daughter, hires Duncan MacKinnon as governess to her young sister. Eirica has vowed to never give her heart away or to wed. She is determined to run her father's sheep ranch and care for her sister. Then Duncan enters her life.
When her father dies, suitors become more adamant that she chose one. Duncan steps in to help her keep the suitors at bay. But someone wants her inheritance and threatens her family and the ranch. She must convince Duncan to marry her to save her from the suitors. Duncan, having nothing to offer but his love, refuses. However, he knows that he must save her reputation and her life because she has stolen his heart.